‘Zim negotiating to rejoin Commonwealth’

FOREIGN Affairs minister Sibusiso Moyo told Parliament yesterday Zimbabwe was negotiating its way to rejoin the Commonwealth Club, following the country’s unceremonious departure in 2003 over disputed presidential election results.

BY VENERANDA LANGA

“The current position is that there are no impediments whatsoever as to why Zimbabwe would be averse to rejoining the Commonwealth,” Moyo said.

“In fact, the process at the moment is that there are necessary processes and consultations taking place, which should inform the Executive, so that the process of rejoining the Commonwealth can be undertaken.”

Moyo said Zimbabwe extricated itself from the Commonwealth more than two decades ago for political reasons.

“It was a resolution which was taken, particularly at a Zanu PF conference, and it informed government then, and it was as a result of that there were disagreements between issues of certain values to the Commonwealth and the priorities of national interest as a country. The country then withdrew itself from the Commonwealth after its suspension,” he said.

The fast-track land redistribution programme was among some of the contentious issues that caused Zimbabwe’s fallout with its former colonial master — Britain — which superintends over the Commonwealth club.

In an unrelated matter, MPs pressed Health minister David Parirenyatwa to issue a ministerial statement today to explain government position regarding doctors’ nationwide strike.

Southerton MP Gift Chimanikire (MDC-T) said government should urgently call the army doctors to assist to avert further deaths at hospitals.

Makokoba MP Tshinga Dube (Zanu PF) had first raised the issue, saying that he was receiving calls that at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, people were dying in numbers due to the strike.

Acting leader of the House, Joram Gumbo, said government discussed the issue in Cabinet and was working out a solution.

11 Comments

“The process…is that thee are processes…for the process to begin…”…..
Bottom line – nothing is being done on the ground.

Then he goes on to defend the withdrawal of Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth by one individual, as a party-sanctioned move…..and doesn’t stop there. It was the land reform which caused the withdrawal really? I thought it was the chaotic way and the violence associated with that sad episode that was condemned. Is the country being run by people suffering from amnesia? or they think everyone is a fool?

You may not like, I may not like, we may not like it, most opposition supporters don’t like it (but they will practice it if they take office) it is normal for the governing party to direct government decisions/business. That’s how multi-party politics work otherwise political party interests manifestos and interests would not find light of day if they failed to direct/influence government policy.

The ANC took a decision for SA to pull out of the ICC and the ANC government did so (even though the courts reversed on other grounds). Zanu PF did the same at their congress and it is well above aboard even thougn it hurts.

The biggest stumbling blocks to re-admission are: AIPPA, POSA, BAZ, Criminal Procedure Act and amendments, and the health of the Voters Roll. All these are in Intensive Care and need immediate care, attention and dismissal.

You will not succeed ED and zanu pf on this issue because those same issues that made you to pull out and be suspended by the commonwealth countries are still pending,hence the right things must be uphold by you witches.Zanus,changing yesterday from Mugabe to ED does not mean that you are good enough to be recognized by the international community and zimbabweans at large, no no no,be serious and we want reforms as required
Reform yourself first Zanus because zimbabweans don’t want to keep on suffering while few zanus are living largely,no no no.

The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, which is a Chapter 12 Independent Commission with the mandate to foster national healing in Zimbabwe, needs to have it’s 10-year mandate reinstated if it is to fulfil its Constitutional mandate. ...